Learn ASL
The ASL alphabet, numbers, everyday basics and more — with simple handshape tips.
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Hello
Flat hand at the forehead, move it out like a salute.
- ✋
Goodbye
Open hand, fold fingers down and up (wave).
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Thank you
Fingertips at the chin, move hand forward and down.
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Please
Flat hand circles on the chest.
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Sorry
Fist (A hand) circles on the chest.
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Yes
Fist (S hand) nods up and down like a head.
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No
Index and middle fingers snap onto the thumb.
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Help
Thumbs-up fist on a flat palm; lift both up.
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More
Both flat-O hands tap fingertips together.
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Finished
Both open hands, palms in, twist outwards.
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Water
W hand taps the chin twice.
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Eat / Food
Flat-O hand taps the lips.
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Bathroom
T hand shakes side to side.
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My name is…
MY: flat hand on your chest. NAME: both H hands, tap the top fingers on the bottom fingers twice. Then fingerspell your name slowly, one clear letter at a time.
- ✋
Name
H fingers tap on H fingers twice.
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Deaf
Index finger touches near the ear, then the mouth.
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I love you
Thumb, index and little finger up.
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Friend
Hooked index fingers link, then switch.
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Family
Both F hands circle outward to meet.
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Mother
Open 5 hand, thumb taps the chin.
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Father
Open 5 hand, thumb taps the forehead.
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Where?
Index finger up, shake side to side, brows lowered.
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What?
Both open palms up, shake slightly, brows lowered.
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Understand
Fist by the forehead, flick the index finger up.
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Again / Repeat
Bent hand arcs into the other palm.
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Hurt / Pain
Index fingers point at each other and twist.
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Emergency
E hand shakes side to side.
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Good
Fingertips at the chin, move down onto the other palm.
- ✋
Bad
Fingertips at the chin, flip down and away.
ASL fingerspelling is one-handed. Alphabet drawings: public-domain illustrations from Wikimedia Commons (shown from the signer's view, right hand). For reference sign videos, see trusted Deaf-led ASL dictionaries such as Handspeak or Lifeprint.